Step, step, step.

Muscles across my back scream in protest. Lungs gasp for air as I struggle to breath through the neck gaiter over my face. Step, step, step. This is not how I envisioned this going. Step, step. I fleeting memory floats in reminding me of a decision to warm up before I start to run outside in really cold temps. Another memo to me, warm up the body before starting these cold runs. Step, step, step. 

Coming up on the the selected turn around point I made ten minutes into this run. The half mile marker. Wait a second. My muscles don't hurt so bad and my breathing is a little better. Perhaps I can go just a little further.

 Ho hum. Waiting for traffic to go by. My core is cold but I feel alright so far. 

Step, step, step. Must be feeling better cause my thoughts are less of how sucky this is to random thoughts now. Wind is bad through here. My core is is getting cold. I'm glad I'm not barefoot today. I would hate to think how bad my feet would be today if I'm having a hard time keeping my core warm. Maybe I'm not going to make Gene Field today. Step, step, step.

 Muscles are relaxed now, they seem happy to have a familiar movement, rhythm going now. My breathing is better....lungs aren't screaming for air now. Step, step. Gene Field is only 1/4 mile away. I can make it.

Three little beeps in my right ear remind me to change my hearing aid batteries soon. Crap, I put my neck gaiter above my ears, I hope I don't drop them. 

Turn around point and headed home. A quick check tells me that I haven't yet. Neck gaiter is damp from my breath. Core is cold and I'm thinking that it would suck to fall out of my own run. Step, step, step. 

No thoughts now, just head down and keep stepping.

Core is cold. Only 1/4 mile or so left. 

Step, step, step. Last little hill. 

Walking inside I'm thinking that I might need to add a layer or two next time.